RoadVitals

1991 Chevrolet Beretta Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
49
Latest Jul 20, 2009
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
17
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
10

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 Chevrolet Beretta, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes69.1%
  • Steering69.1%
  • Engine46.1%
  • Driver assistance34.5%
  • Airbags23.0%
  • Fuel system23.0%
  • Transmission23.0%
  • Powertrain (other)11.5%
  • Seat belts11.5%
  • Body & structure11.5%
  • Suspension11.5%
  • Tires & wheels11.5%
  • Visibility11.5%
  • Heating & air conditioning11.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 25MPH, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ALSO BROKE WHEN PASSENGER RECOILED INTO IT. *AK

NHTSA ID 718813 · filed Feb 16, 2000

WHILE STARTING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD DUE TO TWO POSITIVE WIRES CONNECTING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID 849818 · filed Oct 4, 1999
All 14 reports naming interior & seats

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE TURN SIGNAL/BLINKER OFTEN GOT STUCK BETWEEN BRIGHT AND DIM. WHEN THAT HAPPENED THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE OFF. WHEN THE SWITCH GOT STUCK THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON WOULD BE TO PULL THE BRIGHT SWITCH AGAIN. TWICE WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE SIGNAL SWITCH BROKE (I HAD IT REPLACED ONCE), LEAVING ME STUCK ON THE ROAD WITH MY HEADLIGHTS OFF AT NIGHT. I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO FIX IT. *AK

NHTSA ID 706427 · filed May 11, 1999

WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS, SMOKE EMITTED FROM STEERING COLUMN; TURN SIGNAL WILL AUTOMATICALLY CANCEL, BUT FLASHER IS STILL CLICKING UNDER DASH. HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH ALSO VERY INTERMITTENT, AND HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE BRIGHT LIGHTS OR DIM THEM.

NHTSA ID 780999 · filed Oct 8, 1998
All 12 reports naming exterior lighting

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THOUGHT IT WAS MY ALTERNATOR IT CHECKED TO BE GOOD THEN I BOUGHT A BATTERY THEN CHANGED THE FUZE AND THE CAR IS STILL DYEING THE BATTERY GAGE STILL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN THEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH THAT TURNS THE TURN SIGNAL OFF AND ON SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WHEN IT WAS ON AND NOW THE SOUND OF THE TURN SIGNAL STAYS ON WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS OFF AND BOTH TURN SIGNALS ARE FLASHING AT THE SAME TIME WHEN ITS IN THE OFF POSITION NO FIRE JUST SMOKE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10277509 · filed Jul 20, 2009

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID 721529 · filed Apr 16, 2000
All 8 reports naming electrical

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOWDOWN. BRAKES FAILED, AND VEHICLE HIT CAR IN FRONT. THIS LED TO A CHAIN REACTION, THREE OTHER CARS WERE HIT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID 850785 · filed Oct 14, 1999

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50 TO 60 MPH AND SHE APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN,VEHICLE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT, AND THEN THERE WERE A CHAIN REACTIO N,THREE OTHER CARS WERE HIT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID 850784 · filed Oct 14, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THE PEELING PAINT. THE CLEAR COAT IS ALL OFF BY NOW AND LOOKS AWFUL. THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE CAR IS LOSS. I HAD THAT REPAIRED IN 2000 BUT IS LOSS AGAIN. THE SUPENSION HAS GIVEN PROBLEMS, I JUST REPLACED SOME PARTS THAT WERE BROKEN, LUCKILY THEY WEREN'T TO MUCH.

NHTSA ID 10068796 · filed Jan 15, 2004

STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IF TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT WHEEL WILL WONDER IN OWN DIRECTION. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 885491 · filed Apr 9, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LOCATION OF EXHASUT PIPE HAS CAUSED FUEL TANK TO MELT AND LEAK. EXHAUST PIPE BRACKETS WERE BROKEN. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS SUBJECT, 912656F. OWNER VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY WHEN STARTING THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID 870031 · filed Sep 8, 2000

HAD CAR FIXED AT NON DEALER GARAGE. CALLED DEALER THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT SHOW UP IF FIXED AND TURNED IN TO GENERAL MOTORS. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE GARAGE MAY HAVE CHARGED ME ,THEN TURNED IT IN TO GMC.ITS THE SAME QUAD 4 MOTOR THAT WAS RECALLED IN THE OLDSMOBILE. *AK

NHTSA ID 716852 · filed Jan 4, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE CONSUMER HAD FOOT ON BRAKE AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. NO AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES WOULD STOP VEHICLE. DRIVER TURNED THE IGNITION OFF TO STOP VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME, OWNER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID 828880 · filed Oct 13, 1998

STEERING COLUMN SMOKE APPEARS WHILE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. TT

NHTSA ID 962423 · filed Mar 21, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 25MPH, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ALSO BROKE WHEN PASSENGER RECOILED INTO IT. *AK

NHTSA ID 718813 · filed Feb 16, 2000

DRIVER WAS HIT BROADSIDE AND PUSHED INTO A POLE AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY . *AK

NHTSA ID 808390 · filed Jan 30, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID 721529 · filed Apr 16, 2000

Y FUEL INJECTORS FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO DIE.

NHTSA ID 523815 · filed Oct 24, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. VEHICLE JUMPS FURTHER WHEN IN LOWER GEAR. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK PLASTIC RETAINER ON THE CLUTCH LINKAGE DISINTEGRATED AND LINKAGE SEPARATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION AND REMAIN IN MOTION. *YH

NHTSA ID 866587 · filed Aug 2, 2000

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID 721529 · filed Apr 16, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID 721529 · filed Apr 16, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 25MPH, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ALSO BROKE WHEN PASSENGER RECOILED INTO IT. *AK

NHTSA ID 718813 · filed Feb 16, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID 721529 · filed Apr 16, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THE PEELING PAINT. THE CLEAR COAT IS ALL OFF BY NOW AND LOOKS AWFUL. THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE CAR IS LOSS. I HAD THAT REPAIRED IN 2000 BUT IS LOSS AGAIN. THE SUPENSION HAS GIVEN PROBLEMS, I JUST REPLACED SOME PARTS THAT WERE BROKEN, LUCKILY THEY WEREN'T TO MUCH.

NHTSA ID 10068796 · filed Jan 15, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

NHTSA ID 522186 · filed Sep 17, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID 721529 · filed Apr 16, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING VEHICLE, PUT ON AIR CONDITIONER, BLACK SMOKE POURED OUT, PULLED OVER, POPPED HOOD, FLAMES SHOT OUT, FIRE DEPT. PUT OUT FLAMES, *AK

NHTSA ID 984624 · filed May 20, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .